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[MitPII] Atmosphere setting template

EDIT: This is an old post and, as such, it is against the forum rules to respond to it. If you have comments, then please PM me, or start a new thread with a link in it to this one.

Announcement: Voting for MitP II is now over, this made it in, thank you all who supported it. Critiques still very much welcome. I can NOT speak for Victorious Press, but PERSONALLY I wouldn't mind seeing more examples of these creatures. PM for suggestions on posing.

The following image is copyright Susan Felice Folmer, and is used with permission. Do not use without permission.
Spoilered for 1756x1275 size.

It appears to be a normal creature until you notice that there is only empty space behind the lids of the eyes and the lips(except for a moist tongue).

An Empty Skin is necromantic creation designed to be the perfect pet or animate decoration. At the creators option (chosen at the time of creation) it may appear to breath, be as warm as a living creature, and/or have a moist tongue and/or nose. In a sharp departure from the behavior of most undead (especially created undead) their default attitude toward most creatures is one of affection (but not cooperation per se). This can, however, be overridden by orders from someone they recognize as their owner. An Empty Skin can speak if the base creature could speak, and understands all languages it knew in life plus one language known by the creator.

A Empty Skin can be created by a spellcaster capable of casting Create Undead, or a single one may be created by a caster of at least caster level 15 using Animate Dead. In the second case it counts as quadrupedal its hitdice (but always as at least 4 HD) when calculating how many HD may be controlled under that spell. The corpse must be first be expertly prepared with a Craft[Taxidermist] (Heal may be substituted at a -5 penalty). The DC depends on the size and if the creator wishes to include a tongue. It must then be tanned using rare reagents and oils. The DCs (for the skinning only) and costs (for the tanning only) are given in the following table:

*Note that while the DC does not continue to increase above medium size the time required does.

Tanning requires 3 days regardless of size.

The remaining corpse can still be animated as a skeleton or incorporeal undead if desired and/or the intestines and/or stomach(s) can be extracted to create a gut snake, dark heart, pair of floating lungs, and/or Hopping Stomach(s). See the links in my signature for the listings for these.

Creating an Empty Skin
An animated skin is an acquired template that can be applied to any animal, or magical beast, or shapeshifter that died in the form of one of these. Rumors of aberrations, dragons, giants, fey, humanoids, and/or monstrous humanoids as animated skins are unconfirmed

Size and Type
The creature’s type changes to Undead. It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here. The creature's size does not change, however its weight is reduced to 1/10. Some Empty skins are filled with sand, sawdust, or other such materials (usually kept from leaking out with a piece of cloth sewn just behind the eyes and mouth), these materials are not part of the creature, and having them leak out causes no damage to it. This material also does not count against the encumbrance limits of the creature (GM's discretion(sp) on trying to fill them with gold dust or the like for transport...).

Hit Dice
The base creature's racial hit dice (if any) are halved in number and become d12s. It loses any class levels it had. If class levels were the only source of hitdice it becomes a 1/2 HD creature.

Speed
No change to existing forms of moment, but gains a special slither mode that has a speed of 5 ft [1 square] and a very limited gliding ability (See Deflate).

Armor Class
No change

Attacks
The base creature retains all natural weapons that deal bludgeoning damage. Other attacks may or may not be retained (see below). The animated skins base attack bonus is as the original creature. Poison is lost.

Damage
Bite attacks now do no damage unless the creature has a beak, in which case their damage is unchanged. Any other attacks that deal slashing and/or peircing now do subdual bludgeoning damage and decrease two die sizes (if this would decrease it past 1 hp damage then the attack deals no damage).

Special Attacks
The base creatures special attacks (if present in each case) are modified as follows:
- Any ability drain or damage is lost, but attack forms that do these in addition to other

Special Qualities
The base creature loses any previous special qualities and gains the following:

Destruction Resistance (Su)
An Empty skin has turn resistance equal to its original HD, but ONLY in cases where it would otherwise be destroyed. If it is not destroyed in such a case it is instead turned.

Lifelike (Ex)
As long as the insides are not visible it requires a spot check of DC 20 + the amount the original Craft[Taxidermy] or Heal check was beaten by to discern that the Empty Skin is not alive. Examples of such situations include but are not limited to: being viewed from behind, curled up with head under tail or rear leg, or eyes and mouth closed, etc. An observer gets a +5 bonus on this check if the creature is not simulating breathing. The continued production of natural oils/sweat that keeps the skin in perfect condition means that DC of a Survival or Wisdom check to distinguish an Empty Skin from a living animal by the Scent Feat is a straight DC 20.

Hollowness (Ex)
Immune to bludgeoning damage, takes only one point of damage from any successful piercing attack, normal damage from slashing. An Empty Skin also counts as two sizes smaller for purposes of bull-rushes and the effect winds have on it. They take only one quarter falling damage, even if they fall on something sharp. Being filled with something that adds the weight back negates all of this except the resistance to piercing and immunity to Bludgeoning.

Deflate (Ex)
They may go limp and 'deflate' at will allowing them to be packed away when not needed or for transporting (including smuggling) them. Deflating is a swift action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity, re-inflating is a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. When deflated then can fold themselves up, or unfold themselves (both Move actions that provoke attacks of opportunity), when unfolded they lose there normal forms of movement but can slither around (looking a little like a manta ray and functionally similar to a slug's motion works both over the ground and as a swim speed) at a speed of 5 ft [1 square] and fit through a crack of the following size provided that no horns or hooves are large enough to prevent this. If so, add the diameter of the horns or the height of the hooves, whichever is greater, to the minimum thickness of the crack.
Fine 1/16th inch
Diminutive 1/8th inch
Tiny 1/4 inch
Small 1/2 inch
Medium 1 inch
Large 2 inches
Huge 4 inches
Gargantuan 8 inches
Colossal 16 inches

While deflated they take no falling damage (which they would normally be immune to anyway due to their immunity to bludgeoning damage), and they may move sideways 5' (1 square) for each 20' they fall.

Being filled like sand or sawdust negates the deflation ability, but having taken on water or other liquid simply means that the fluid flows out as the Empty Skin deflates. If no barrier is sewn in an empty skin can cough up particulate contents at the GMs discretion.

Vulnerability to Fire (Ex)
Empty Skins take one extra point from every damage die done from a fire source.

Fast Healing 1 (Su) - The spells that maintain the Empty Skin in perfectly groomed condition despite wear and tear are so strong that they will repair it even in the midst of a battle. Some owners enjoy being able to let off emotional energy abusing their Empty Skins, who will never turn against them no matter how many times they are thrown about or even slashed and stabbed almost to destruction.

Saves
An Empty Skins Base saving throws are unchanged from the original creature. Recalculate Fortitude and Will based on statistic changes.

Abilities
The base creature modifies its ability scores as follows:
Strength halved to a minimum of 1.
Dexterity is unchanged
Constitution changes to -.
Intelligence changes to 5.
Wisdom increases to 10 if lower than that, otherwise unchanged.
Charisma increases by 4 points.

Skills
The base creature does not receive any bonus skills. It loses all Intelligence based skills, and Survival. It retains all racial skill bonuses. It gains a +10 bonus to jump checks for its lightness (provided it is not filled with sand, sawdust, etc).

Feats and Spells
The base creature retains all feats except Scent, but loses all spellcasting ability. In addition, it also gains the Negotiator Feat but only with respect to its owner.

Alignment
Usually True Neutral

Advancement
None

CR
-2 if this reduces it to zero or lower use 1/2 the original creatures CR.

EDIT: Linking these for cross-referencing purposes, although I am not sure if the Spell is a good idea at all since it reduces the flavor by bypassing the skill checks.Gut spell by The Vorpal TribbleCat Skinning Blade by DM-Ninja

Re: Atmosphere setting template [Peach]

So basically this is an animated skin-bag of air? Talk about your air-heads.

Few suggestions/nitpicks:

- Because it's mostly gaseous inside, it should be lighter than normal. Make it resolve grapple checks and bull rush attempts (and maybe trip attempts) as though it was one or two sizes smaller. It should also be affected by wind effects as though it were two sizes smaller. Also, it shouldn't trigger traps based on weight that easily.

An Empty Skin is necromantic creation designed to be the perfect pet or animate decoration. At the creators option (chosen at the time of creation) it may appear to breath, be as warm as a living creature, and/or have a moist tongue and/or nose. An empty can speak if the base creature could speak, and understands all languages it knew in life plus one language known by the creator.

Looking from what you said above, maybe you could make it such that the undead creature is hard to distinguish from a normal creature of its type (DC 15-20 Spot Check), and adding to the DC of the Craft/Heal check will make the creature more "lifelike", increasing the Spot Check DC by 5-10.

- The Int decrease I'd understand; they're literally air-heads. But why would they have increased Charisma? Don't tell me that losing your brains (and the rest of your innards) makes you a more eloquent speaker.

Otherwise, it's a cool concept. Doesn't do much, but it's semi-indestructible. Imagine having the PCs smacking one of these things around with giant mallets........

Pity you couldn't make one out of a Vermin. Otherwise, you'd get........this.

Last edited by Single Shot Zombie; 2007-05-17 at 07:49 AM.

I didn't know zombies could be polymorphed........

Spoiler

Show

This is your resident undead coffee addict, Single Shot Zombie, speaking. And I am now resigned to being an undead mongrel for the rest of my (un)natural life........

Re: Atmosphere setting template [Peach]

Originally Posted by shuryougospel

- Because it's mostly gaseous inside, it should be lighter than normal. Make it resolve grapple checks and bull rush attempts (and maybe trip attempts) as though it was one or two sizes smaller. It should also be affected by wind effects as though it were two sizes smaller. Also, it shouldn't trigger traps based on weight that easily.

Edit: Added most of this. Decided grapple wouldn't be directly effected since the creature has the same firmness, just less weight and the reduced strength already effects that.

I suppose so, but it is only about 20 words out of several hundred... we will let it stay... because it just wouldn't be the 'perfect' dog if it couldn't greet you at the door and slobber all over your face in ecstasy at your presence... and I know that when a cat deems me worthy of 'grooming' that it means something to me.

Originally Posted by shuryougospel

Looking from what you said above, maybe you could make it such that the undead creature is hard to distinguish from a normal creature of its type (DC 15-20 Spot Check),...

Edit: Fixed.

Originally Posted by shuryougospel

...and adding to the DC of the Craft/Heal check will make the creature more "lifelike", increasing the Spot Check DC by 5-10.

Edit: Made this effect automatic.

Originally Posted by shuryougospel

- The Int decrease I'd understand; they're literally air-heads...

Realizing that animals are going to be the most common targets, this is actually usually an increase... , but I take your point.

Originally Posted by shuryougospel

But why would they have increased Charisma? Don't tell me that losing your brains (and the rest of your innards) makes you a more eloquent speaker.

This is intended to represent their "perfect pet" status... they are models of affection and 'good breeding' in every way. Fawning and submissive if that is what the master prefers, and its greatest desire is to please. If people think this is the wrong way to model this then suggest something else, but I think something is needed to support the fluff...

Originally Posted by shuryougospel

Otherwise, it's a cool concept. Doesn't do much, but it's semi-indestructible. Imagine having the PCs smacking one of these things around with giant mallets........

Like the intro says it is USUALLY mostly for atmosphere. Although having the villain pull a Warhorse out of his backpack and ride off can be an important plot mechanic... or a deflated constrictor snake laying on top of valuables in a closed container.

Originally Posted by shuryougospel

Pity you couldn't make one out of a Vermin. Otherwise, you'd get........this.

Exoskeletal creatures are quite doable mechanically, they just would require a bit of extra effort/space to add, mostly as being exceptions to many of the rules about how attacks are effected. They would also be damaged normally by bludgeoning weapons. The CR modifer might change to -1... although many vermin rely on poison heavily so... hmmm... still a Giant Preying Mantis Empty Skin would be pretty tough. From a fluff perspective it might be seen as too different of a situation for the spell to work.

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template [PEACH]

While I don't have the time to read through it now, this is a very cool idea.

I can see an adventure based off this. Some great zoo or something that is really some massive fraud. Possibly with malicious plans...

I really like the idea of the villains cat.

So I'm not voting yet, gotta read through it, but I like what I've read so far.

Quote of the [insert timeframe here]: (Week? Perhaps! Year? Also maybe.)
"Those who have learned to walk on the threshold of the unknown worlds...may then with the fair white wings of Imagination hope to soar further into the unexplored amidst which we live."
-Augusta Ada Lovelace

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template [PEACH]

Sure, I like it. I may use it for the cat, or even better, a parrot (considering I am making a sea-based campaign). Woo! Pirate with the magical empty parrot!

Mitp vote: yes

Quote of the [insert timeframe here]: (Week? Perhaps! Year? Also maybe.)
"Those who have learned to walk on the threshold of the unknown worlds...may then with the fair white wings of Imagination hope to soar further into the unexplored amidst which we live."
-Augusta Ada Lovelace

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template [PEACH]

As written that would be relatively useless I would think... they would be controlled by different 'minds' and so would tend to get in eachother's way... I guess if you only had the skeleton try to move under very specific circumstances, and the Empty Skin to go limp during those times that could work, but I am not QUITE seeing the point. Please explain?

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template

Kidnap a nobleman, turn him into one of this thingies, fill him with gas, send him to the mask dance...

Last edited by Trauco; 2007-07-05 at 08:41 PM.

"What an astonishing thing a book is.

It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years."

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template

This is a great alternative to the everyday animations + how often do we actually use a craft[taxodermy] skill in our campaigns? MitP: Yes.

Use it to slide under doors and open it from the other side. Inflate a messenger and send him with a letter (explosive runes) to the local king. Or just having a cat without having to clean its litter box.

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template

This is SO AWESOME.
Could you fill this with a creature in gaseous form?
That would make an wicked infiltrator. (the new butler stabs the dagger into his stomach. A great stream of vapour rises from the gaping hole and coalasces into a Great Deamon)
This would make most players wet themselves.

MitP Vote: Yes.

Last edited by BelkarIsAGod; 2007-07-10 at 01:23 AM.

"Post, Post, Post, More Comments!"
High priest of the Belkar/Banzhulu churchProud member of team evil.
Kudos to Simius For the awesome avatar.

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template

Well, people seem to be forgetting that you would have to work up at LEAST the eyes with an illusion or something for the creature to pass all but the most impersonal of inspection. As for the gaseous form thing I don't think volume really changes with that spell, only composition. Others would probably know better than me, and I don't feel like looking it up, but I would say that the gaseous creature certainly would have to be at least slightly (not even a full size class, but at least slightly), smaller than the Empty Skin... also, if you don't need it to be airtight (as with poison gas) with a willing gaseous passenger, the passenger can just flow out through the mouth without the Empty Skin needing to damage itself.

P.S. Are people remembering to seriously look at the Giraffe-a-pump? I know the name is a bit silly, but it serves a useful role and I am not allowed to change the name.

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template

I think you already have enough votes, but I'll add another YES because I really, really like this one.

I especially like the idea of someone pulling an inflatable warhorse out of their backpack and escaping on it.

"Playing D&D is a lot like having a venereal disease. Whenever I date a girl, there's always going to be that point in our relationship where I have to be up front and tell her that I play Dungeons & Dragons. And that will definitely have a lasting impact on how/if our relationship progresses."

Re: [MitPII] Atmosphere setting template

They worship subservient things with an intelligence of 5? I know I gave them +4 to charisma, but unless someone is pulling the strings of the Empty Skins (which, actually, is the default state for them...) then that is taking things a bit too far I should think...